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To verify the efficacy of virtual reality compared to tablet games for pain and anxiety management in children undergoing percutaneous bone pin and/or suture removal procedures.
Randomised clinical trial using two parallel groups: (1) virtual reality or (2) tablet game.
Three-center, randomised pragmatic clinical trial, using a parallel design with two groups (experimental group: immersive virtual reality; active comparator: tablet games). Children aged 6–17 requiring percutaneous pins and/or sutures were recruited between 2020 and 2022 from three outpatient orthopaedic clinics in paediatric hospitals. Pain was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale and anxiety with the Child Fear Scale before and immediately after the procedure.
A total of 188 participants were assigned to either the virtual reality group (96 participants) or the tablet group (92 participants). At the first assessment, there was no noticeable difference between the two groups in terms of pain or anxiety levels. However, further analysis revealed that participants aged 13 and older in the virtual reality group experienced significantly lower anxiety.
Virtual reality was not more efficacious than games on a tablet for pain and anxiety of children undergoing removal of bone pins or sutures. However, virtual reality demonstrated a benefit in reducing anxiety for teenagers, particularly those aged 13-older.
Virtual reality games provide an immersive, non-pharmacological alternative of for anxiety management of teenagers during pins and/or sutures removal.
This study showed that a virtual reality game may help reduce anxiety during pins and/or sutures removal procedures in patients aged 13 years and older.
We adhered to the CONSORT checklist for reporting results.
A patient partner reviewed the study design, methods and final manuscript.
NCT03680625
The aetiology of eating disorders (EDs) is complex, involving an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Children at familial high risk (FHR) for EDs demonstrate increased risk of developing EDs themselves compared with children born to parents without EDs, though the majority remain unaffected. The BLOOM study is an FHR study that aims to identify biological, neurocognitive and psychosocial risk and protective pathways to EDs. Results of this study will help identify trait markers of EDs, inform targeted preventive intervention strategies and clarify how to mitigate genetic risk of EDs.
This prospective cohort study will enrol 510 children aged 8–10 years, including 360 at FHR for developing EDs (comprising 120 children each from mothers with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge ED) and 150 children not at FHR. Participants will be recruited over 2 years and followed up every 2 years. Data collection will include dual X-ray absorptiometry scans to evaluate body composition, saliva samples for genotyping, neurocognitive testing, self and parent-reported questionnaires and semistructured diagnostic interviews of psychopathology and well-being. Optional data collection will include fasting blood samples, stool samples and brain MRI scans. Mothers and secondary caregivers will complete questionnaires regarding family functioning and their mental health.
The study has been approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (p-2023-14826) and the Regional Ethics Committee of Health Research of the Capital Region of Denmark (H-23043100). Written consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be disseminated at scientific conferences, in peer-reviewed publications, PhD dissertations and to relevant stakeholders.
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